by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know the holidays are celebrated as a joyful time of year despite the ongoing troubles around the world, the weather, the related expenses, the added stress, etc?
For many the joy is being with family and friends, the presents, the delight on children’s faces, the scrumptious traditional foods and sweets and the time off from work. Except for first responders, police, hospital and emergency personnel and shelter workers. Every day at the shelter is the same, be it a holiday or a regular weekend day. The animals must be fed, medicated, cleaned and given a little love each morning and then repeated each late afternoon until closing. Even on designated holidays. That means visiting or family dinners have to wait. It means while others are enjoying good cheer, they are taking care of homeless pets that didn’t get to go home for the holidays.
Fortunately, the animals do not know its Christmas or Chanukah. Only we humans feel bad about them not yet being adopted even though it is not the best time of year to introduce a new pet into a new home with a new family. Adopted animals need time to decompress and adjust to their new surroundings, especially those that have been in shelter for a longer period of time. In this day and age of instant gratification, shelter pets are expected to fit right in with the new sights, smells and routines. These are unrealistic expectations which often lead to the pet being returned which is something that all shelters dread and do their best to prevent. But it happens despite the herculean efforts to the contrary. Many animal welfare organizations also frown on people giving pets as gifts because they are not inanimate objects but up to a twenty year commitment which should be made by the adopter and cannot be made by the gift giver. Anyone who has adopted knows that there is a personal connection made either by the person or the animal. So many tell us that the dog or cat picked them! The old fashioned notion of a puppy in a box under the tree sends the wrong message to a child. A pet is not a toy. And as we know, children will promise to “do all the work” which usually lasts for a very short time. That’s why so many shelters are inundated with store bought pocket pets including rabbits! A new pet should be a family decision anyway. Wrap up a box of pet items as a surprise under the tree and then together come to the shelter after the holiday to choose or be chosen by your new furry family member.
So, as you enjoy the holidays, rest assured the shelter residents will not go without as staff will be there for both shifts tending to their needs with an extra treat for all.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Holiday from all of us!
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